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Surrey Police has apologised for serious failings in their investigation into disgraced DJ Jonathan King after the collapse of his trial.

There will be no further action against King and he will not be re-tried over allegations of historical sex offences relating to the Walton Hop , a teenage disco which ran from 1958 until 2001.

The 73-year-old, of Bayswater, had denied 23 serious sexual assault charges against boys aged between 14 and 16, alleged to have taken place between 1970 and 1988. The trial collapsed in June and it has been confirmed that the proceedings against King will not continue.

Surrey's police and crime commissioner, David Munro, is launching an independent review into the investigation.

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King, an ex-pop star and producer for acts including Genesis, was released from jail in 2005 after serving half of a seven-year jail term for abusing underage boys between 1983 and 1989.

The former Genesis producer was previously found guilty at the Old Bailey in 2001 of sex offences against five youngsters aged 14 and 15.

In a statement after the recent proceedings were stopped, Surrey Police said: "We are aware of the ruling at Southwark Crown Court by Her Honour Judge Taylor to stay proceedings against Jonathan King in relation to allegations of non-recent sexual offences.

"We recognise that there were serious organisational failings in the investigation, particularly in relation to disclosure process and we will continue to study the judge's ruling in detail."

Jonathan King will not be re-tried over alleged historical sex offences (Image: Rick Findler/PA Wire)

The force said it has been a complex investigation running over several years and involving an "enormous" amount of data and documentation, adding: "When the issues relating to disclosure became apparent we, with other members of the prosecution team, worked tirelessly in an effort to correct these errors.

"We deeply regret that despite these efforts we did not meet the required standards to ensure a fair trial.

"As a result, the evidence will not be tested by a jury and neither the complainants' nor the defendant have their voices heard in court. For this we wholeheartedly apologise.

"We recognise that for policing nationally, and at a local level, it is vital that we get disclosure right in order to ensure both the integrity of the criminal justice system and public confidence."

The force said it is commissioning an independent review of the investigation.

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Birds Solicitors, who represented King, said: "This case is yet another example of failings in the disclosure process. The judgment of the court sets out the detail of those failings which the judge described as a 'debacle'.

"It should be of great public concern that the numerous shortcomings in the disclosure process would not have been discovered but for the determination of the defence team.

"We have long expressed concerns about this investigation which we consider lacked sufficient objectivity and was run entirely contrary to the recommendations of the Henriques Report. Those concerns are vindicated by this judgment."

Police and crime commissioner David Munro said the trial judge had highlighted serious and extensive flaws in how the case had been handled, and that they must be examined to discover what went wrong and why.

Mr Munro said: “I have read the judge’s decision in full and as the police and crime commissioner for this county I’m afraid it makes very difficult and concerning reading.

“It is clear to me there were fundamental failures in the disclosure process which have resulted in the decision to dismiss what was an important trial involving alleged victims of serious sexual offences.

“I am very sorry for all those involved who have been badly let down by this unacceptable and troubling situation. They have been denied the opportunity for a fair trial due to the undoubted shortcomings of disclosure which have been laid bare.

“I am extremely disappointed and have contacted the chief constable and already spoken to the deputy chief constable about this matter seeking a fuller explanation of what went wrong.

“We are in agreement that a thorough independent review must be commissioned immediately to establish the full facts and scrutinise both this case, and the wider disclosure process within Surrey Police to explore whether this was an isolated incident.

“Over the last few years the Force has made huge strides in improving how they deal with vulnerable victims and significant resources have been put into investigating rape and serious sexual offences.

“Clearly something has gone drastically wrong in this case and this must be addressed as a matter of urgency or we risk all that hard work being undone. I will ensure my office carefully scrutinise the review and any changes required going forward to restore the public’s faith in this area of policing.”

The CPS said King originally faced 24 charges, but one was dropped.

Surrey Police conducted a major investigation into allegations of sexual abuse at the Walton Hop.